Difference between revisions of "Aosta Valley"

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WIKITRAVEL IS CLOSED DUE TO AIDS

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{{pagebanner|Aosta Valley Banner.jpg}}

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{{quickbar

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|image=11CastelloDiSaintPierre.jpg

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|location=Valle_d'Aosta-Posizione.png

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|flag=Flag of Valle d'Aosta.svg

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|capital=[[Aosta]]

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|government=Italian Autonomous Region

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|currency= Euro (€)

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|area=3,263 km<sup>2</sup>

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|population=126,933(2012 est)

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|language='''Official''':Italian, French

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|religion= n/a

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|electricity=230V, 50Hz (European or Italian plug)

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|timezone=UTC +1 and UTC +2(DST)

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The '''Aosta Valley''' (''Val d'Aosta'') (officially known as Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta - Région Autonome Vallée d'Aoste) is the [[Italy|Italian]] region in the [[Alps|Alps]] where there are the highest mountains in Europe, including [[Mont Blanc]], [[Monte Rosa]] and [[Gran Paradiso]].

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Aosta Valley, which is the smallest of all Italian regions, lies in the northwest of the country. It is formed by a central valley with the Dora Baltea river running through it and by 13 side valleys carved out by glaciers and torrents. Protected areas account for almost a third of the region, in order to safeguard biodioversity, and Valle d’Aosta is home to two natural parks: the Gran Paradiso National Park and the Mont Avic Regional Park. Known all over the world for the major climbing routes that have made mountaineering history, for its trekking itineraries and international-level ski resorts, Valle d’Aosta boasts an outstanding historical, cultural and artistic heritage, with Roman monuments, mediaeval castles and Romanesque churches, as well as top-quality DOC-label wines and speciality foods. From ancient times, Valle d’Aosta has been an important crossroads of the Western Alps, and is today linked with France through the Mont Blanc Tunnel and the Little St. Bernard Pass, and with Switzerland through the Great St. Bernard Pass and Tunnel.

The most spoken languages in Aosta Valley are French and Italian. In Gressoney Saint- Jean and Gressoney La Trinité, a minority also speaks German, which is spoken further north across the border in Switzerland. There is also a minority language called Arpitan or Franco-Provençal.

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==Talk==

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Italian is the primary language, though it is possible to get by with French, as virtually all Aostans learn it in school and graduate with enough proficiency to hold basic conversations.

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English is uncommon, and one is only likely to find it in tourist-centric areas.

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==Get in==

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==Get around==

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==See==

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==Do==

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The Valley is an outdoor adventure lovers dream in the summer months it offers a wide range of climbing and hiking options above the valley floor. In the winter the valley is at the heart of the Italian skiing experience with such famous areas as [[Courmayer]] located here.

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'''Thermal Baths'''

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A great year-round activity in Valle d'Aosta is a visit to the Thermes de Pre Sant-Didier. Incredibly relaxing in a beautiful setting overlooking Monte Bianco. See website for current prices and hours. Open late on Friday and Saturday evenings for nights under the stars. http://www.termedipre.it/spa_italy.asp

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[http://www.termedipre.it/spa_italy.asp]

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===Summer Activities===

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Rock climbing:-

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There are crags bolted for sport climbing all over the area between them offering climbs at all grades, and at lengths from 10m to over 350m.

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The best guide is "Mani Nude: Arrampicata sportiva in Valle d'Aosta" by Massimo Bal and Patrick Raspo. Publisher: Martini Multimedia Editore. ISBN: 88-901125-0-6. Published in 2003.

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New crags and sectors have been developed since the book came out, and some of the directions for reaching the climbs are not good enough, so check on websites such as

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[http://www.climbonthe.net/valleaosta/valleaosta.htm].

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===Winter===

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====Skiing====

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Cervinia has access to both the Valtourneche region and the Zermatt ski areas (at extra cost). However, early in the season the link to Zermatt is often closed, and the Cervinia area itself can also suffer from bad weather.

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Many lifts have been upgraded in 2009, adding faster lifts with higher capacity.

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==Eat==

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==Drink==

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*'''Gamay''' - the local variety of red wine grown on the terraced vineyards visible along the steep rock walls of the valley. It is a light red and doesn't age well so its best to be enjoyed on site in full view of the land it was grown on.

The Aosta Valley (Val d'Aosta) (officially known as Regione Autonoma Valle d'Aosta - Région Autonome Vallée d'Aoste) is the Italian region in the Alps where there are the highest mountains in Europe, including Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa and Gran Paradiso.
Aosta Valley, which is the smallest of all Italian regions, lies in the northwest of the country. It is formed by a central valley with the Dora Baltea river running through it and by 13 side valleys carved out by glaciers and torrents. Protected areas account for almost a third of the region, in order to safeguard biodioversity, and Valle d’Aosta is home to two natural parks: the Gran Paradiso National Park and the Mont Avic Regional Park. Known all over the world for the major climbing routes that have made mountaineering history, for its trekking itineraries and international-level ski resorts, Valle d’Aosta boasts an outstanding historical, cultural and artistic heritage, with Roman monuments, mediaeval castles and Romanesque churches, as well as top-quality DOC-label wines and speciality foods. From ancient times, Valle d’Aosta has been an important crossroads of the Western Alps, and is today linked with France through the Mont Blanc Tunnel and the Little St. Bernard Pass, and with Switzerland through the Great St. Bernard Pass and Tunnel.

The most spoken languages in Aosta Valley are French and Italian. In Gressoney Saint- Jean and Gressoney La Trinité, a minority also speaks German, which is spoken further north across the border in Switzerland. There is also a minority language called Arpitan or Franco-Provençal.

The Valley is an outdoor adventure lovers dream in the summer months it offers a wide range of climbing and hiking options above the valley floor. In the winter the valley is at the heart of the Italian skiing experience with such famous areas as Courmayer located here.

Thermal Baths
A great year-round activity in Valle d'Aosta is a visit to the Thermes de Pre Sant-Didier. Incredibly relaxing in a beautiful setting overlooking Monte Bianco. See website for current prices and hours. Open late on Friday and Saturday evenings for nights under the stars. http://www.termedipre.it/spa_italy.asp[3]

Rock climbing:-
There are crags bolted for sport climbing all over the area between them offering climbs at all grades, and at lengths from 10m to over 350m.
The best guide is "Mani Nude: Arrampicata sportiva in Valle d'Aosta" by Massimo Bal and Patrick Raspo. Publisher: Martini Multimedia Editore. ISBN: 88-901125-0-6. Published in 2003.
New crags and sectors have been developed since the book came out, and some of the directions for reaching the climbs are not good enough, so check on websites such as
[4].

Cervinia has access to both the Valtourneche region and the Zermatt ski areas (at extra cost). However, early in the season the link to Zermatt is often closed, and the Cervinia area itself can also suffer from bad weather.

Many lifts have been upgraded in 2009, adding faster lifts with higher capacity.

Gamay - the local variety of red wine grown on the terraced vineyards visible along the steep rock walls of the valley. It is a light red and doesn't age well so its best to be enjoyed on site in full view of the land it was grown on.

Nira Montana La Thuile, Località Arly, 87, [2]. Boutique Luxury Hotel in La Thuile, member of Design Hotels, comprises 55 spacious rooms all featuring terraces or balconies. The restaurant offers the best of Italian cuisine, using the finest and freshest local ingredients. The Nira Spa includes all the elements of holistic, stress-free living, with 6 treatment rooms, a pool, steam room and sauna.